What is Kratom? — Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families and Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse

Summary

An information sheet on kratom, based on information provided by the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families and the Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse, and headed as an alert for healthcare and other professionals. It describes kratom as a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia whose leaves contain compounds with mind-altering effects, sold in Michigan in gas stations, tobacco shops and online. Citing the Mayo Clinic, it lists effects including vomiting, liver damage and seizures, and states that kratom may suppress breathing and lead to coma and death. It reports that poison control centers in the U.S. received about 1,800 reports involving kratom from 2011 through 2017, and 1,357 calls in 2019 alone. The sheet states that kratom is legal to buy and use in Michigan because no legislation exists so far.

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information provided by the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families, Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse,
. and Michigan Poison & Orug Information Center

Alert! For Healthcare |
and Other Professionals

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain
compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects.

Q) Most people take Kratom as a pill, capsule, or extract. Some people chew kratom leaves or brew the dried
or powdered leaves as a tea. Sometimes the leaves are smoked or eaten in food.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Compound Chemistry and Health Effects

C1 The two active compounds in kratom leaves are mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine.
Q Small doses = stimulant effects Large doses = depressant effects

G1 Kratom can cause vomiting, chills, itching, and loss of appetite. Long-term can cause extreme weight toss,
skin darkening, frequent need to urinate, constipation, muscle pain, and liver damage. Kratom may aiso
cause dizziness, delusions and seizures. it may suppress your breathing and lead to coma and death.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Why do people use Kratom?

Q) Kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, some people use it to relieve pain or overcome opioid
addiction. As medical communities try to shy away from opioid use for pain, many patients who
previously relied on them no longer can. Individuals scrambling to find alternatives, may be turning to
kratom because it has similar pain-relieving effects.

() People tend (however incorrectly) to think that kratom is safe because it’s “natural.”

Is Kratom Addictive?

CQ} The FDA is concerned that Kratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, appears to
have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.

Source: U_S Food and Drug Administration
Like other drugs with opioid-like effects, withdrawal symptoms include:

o muscle aches Oo aggression

o insomnia Oo emotional changes
o = irritability o runny nose

0 hostility o jerky movements

Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse

Chippewa Valley MICHIGAN POISON & DRUG
Caaltion® INFORMATION CENTER

) Youth and Families WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY MACOMB LOUNPY OFFILE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Sold in some gas stations, tobacco shops, and on-line in Michigan under a variety of names.
This product is now banned in some states. National institute on Drug Abuse

What is Kratom?

e = Itis sold in pill/capsule/powder/extract form that comes from the leaves of a tree in Southeast Asia.
¢ Kratom leaves are sometimes brewed in tea or eaten in food.
e It has mind-altering effects and can be addictive at high doses. National Institute on Drug Abuse

What are the Potential Dangers?

In low doses, Kratom has stimulating effects and, in large doses, depressant effects. Kratom can cause vomiting, chills,
itching, and loss of appetite. Long-term use can cause extreme weight loss, skin darkening, frequent need to urinate,
constipation, muscle pain, and tiver damage. Kratom may also cause dizziness, delusions, and seizures, It may suppress
your breathing and lead to coma and death. Mayo Clinic

Poison control centers in the U.S. received about 1,800 reports involving use of Kratom from 2011 through 2017,
including reports of death. By comparison, in 2019 alone, 1,357 calls to Poison Control Centers involved exposure to
Kratom. Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective - Mayo Clinic

is Kratom Addictive?

It can be. Like other drugs with opioid-like effects, Kratom can become addictive for some people. Withdrawal
symptoms can include muscle aches, hostility/irritability, emotional changes, jerky movements, and runny nose.
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Is Kratom legal to buy and use in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan has attempted to regulate Kratom but no legislation exists so far. Michigan debates future of kratom, an

herbal remedy linked to 9 state deaths | Bridge Michigan. Some states have banned Kratom. Other states have
regulated it.

What are the Potential Dangers of Kratom Use During Pregnancy?

When Kratom is used during pregnancy, the baby may be born with symptoms of withdrawal! that require treatment
plus adversely affects infant development. Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective - Mayo Clinic

Chippewa Valley
™% Youth and Families

MACOMB COUNTY OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE


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